Island argument

The mainland of Scotland perhaps has a distinct identity but does this extend to the Orkney and Shetland Islands which were Scandinavian until 1707?

The treaty of Union was agreed on 22 July, 1706, thus those North Sea islands joined the UK, not Scotland.

This raises issues as to whether Orkney and Shetland should have a separate free vote.

What if, in this referendum, they vote No when Scotland mainland votes Yes, and where does the process of devolution stop?

What is the moral legitimacy of denying those North Sea islands self-determination to either join Scotland mainland, the remaining United Kingdom, Norway or for the islands themselves go independent?

If the devolution argument rests entirely on financial self-interest surely Orkney and Shetland have a very good case to declare independence and keep those declining oil revenues and just use dollars as currency.

It could be that a Scottish state will champion, in as far 
as it is able, the poor and the disadvantaged but then again it might divide regions and ethnic communities, even making new divisions in what should be an egalitarian society worthy of the Scottish Enlightenment.

Ken Carew

Minden Crescent

Dumfries